Friday's Personal Finance stories

Nobody said comedy was pretty, and nobody said comedy was easy. But in the 50 years that the members and alumni of Chicago's Second City have been cranking out comedy, giving us everything from "Saturday Night Live" to "30 Rock," it sure as heck has been funny.

If you're a fan of humor, Chicago is definitely the place to be this weekend as 600 Second City graduates return for a 50th reunion blowout of parties, performances and panels that is being called a "comedy supernova."

Especially this year, when we needed a lot of cheering up, all that comedy has come in pretty handy.

-- Steve Kerch, assistant managing editor/Personal Finance

ENTERTAINMENT & LEISURE

After 50 years, Second City remains comedy central

Before there was "Saturday Night Live" or "30 Rock" or even "The Russians are Coming, the Russians are Coming," there was Second City. The Chicago-based comedy factory is turning 50 this week, and rolling out the red carpet for some 600 alumni who will be here to perform, party and partake in an unprecedented reunion of revelry. Putting that many funny people in one place at one time is what Kelly Leonard, Second City's vice president, calls a "comedy supernova." Check out the comedy celebrities that Second City has spawned.

CONSUMER

Bargains may be off the table at restaurants

Casual-dining restaurants may be lifting their foot off the promotional pedal. Recent data out of Knapp-Track, a survey of restaurant sales, suggest that rampant discounts that hurt margins and sales at some chains appear to be easing. See Outside the Box.

Consumers cheer up in early December

Consumer sentiment improved markedly in December, according to reports on the University of Michigan/Reuters index released Friday. See Economic Report.

REAL ESTATE

Why many home-price measures may be misleading

I have noticed that some reports regarding housing prices reference "average" pricing, while others refer to "median" pricing. Are both average and median considered roughly equally reliable measures of value? If indeed median pricing tends to get cited more frequently, why do you think that is? Just curious to get your take. See Realty Q&A.

Few mortgages modified for homeowners facing foreclosure

With expectations for millions of foreclosures, lenders have converted only 31,382 troubled mortgages for homeowners participating in an Obama administration mortgage-assistance program from trial three-month plans into permanent, more affordable loans, the Treasury Department reported. See Capitol Report.

House to vote on letting bankruptcy judges modify mortgages

A controversial amendment to allow bankruptcy judges to modify mortgages so homeowners can avoid foreclosure will be voted on as part of sweeping bank-reform legislation under consideration by the full House. See Capitol Report.

WORKPLACE ISSUES

Google sues over work-at-home ads

The ads say "Work for Google at home," and Google is suing. As you search for holiday bargains, beware of retailer tricks to get your money. And have you ever thought about pet insurance? Listen to Radio Report.

Holiday bonuses may be cheery

Despite the poor economy, holiday bonuses are alive and well this year, as employers try to retain their top staffers. Steve Potisk reports on two new surveys. Listen to Radio Report.

INVESTING

Are your U.S. Treasury bonds safe?

You can debate whether new highway and bridge projects and sundry tax breaks will help the economy. That's a political question. But as the U.S. government piles borrowing atop more borrowing, it begs a financial question that is not utterly ridiculous: Are your U.S. Treasury bonds safe? See Brett Arends.

A bull-market milestone

Wall Street bulls are celebrating a milestone in one of the best market runs ever. Mark Hulbert, the editor of the Hulbert Financial Digest has details on that and how gold may face more pressure in the short-term, on its way even higher. Listen to Radio Report.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Which retail site is best for shoppers?

Promotional stunts aside, who offers the best prices and selections among the online retail giants? See Smart Money.

How about a little Chex mix for the holidays?

'Tis the season ... for party mix made with breakfast cereal. The maker of Chex cereal is trying to entice even more party hosts to make the salty snack. Also, breakfast at McDonald's is getting cheaper. Listen to Radio Report.

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